College Basketball: National Player of the Year Week 10 Power Ranking

The college basketball National Player of the Year power ranking is fluid. While Zach Edey has remained at the top of each ranking throughout the season, the two through ten positions have shifted consistently.

At this point in the season we have seen most of the out-of-conference games, and we are entering college basketball’s conference play. Most teams have played between ten and fifteen games and we are starting to get a feel for certain teams and players.

This is an ongoing piece put together every other Monday by On3’s Jamie Shaw, who is on the Naismith Men’s College Basketball Board of Selectors. Now that we are into the new year, let’s discuss the men’s college basketball National Player of the Year, Week 10 Power Rankings.

1. C Zach Edey (Purdue)

The Buzz: Zach Edey is the best player on the best team in the country. He has solidified himself as a dominating factor, that no one in the college game is able to replicate. Edey is listed at 7-foot-4 and 300 pounds. He has scoured over 20 points in eight games and has seven double-doubles on the year. Edey is shooting 62.4 percent from the field and 76.1 percent from the free-throw line. Purdue enters the new year at 12-1 and No. 1 in the A.P. Poll. 

2. C Kyle Filipowski (Duke)

The Buzz: Kyle Filipowski continues to bring stats across the board. Even if Duke’s output has been inconsistent, Filipowski’s has not. Over Duke’s last seven games, Filipowski has had three games of 20, or more points, four games of three, or more blocks, four games of four, or more assists, and secured four double-doubles. In those seven games, Filipowski is averaging 17.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 blocks. Duke is currently No. 14 in the A.P. Poll. 

3. F Kevin McCullar (Kansas)

The Buzz: The step Kevin McCullar has taken this season has been an astronomical one. Throughout his career, he has been right on the cusp of stardom. Through the first 13 games of this season, McCullar has broken that door down and stepped directly into the spotlight. The 6-foot-7 senior averages 20.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals for the No. 2 ranked team in the A.P. Poll. McCullar is leading the Jayhawks in points and steals while sitting second in assists and rebounds. 

4. G Tyler Kolek (Marquette)

The Buzz:  Whatever it is that Marquette needs on any given night, it seems that Tyler Kolek has had no issue stepping up to deliver. Whether the Golden Eagles need a made shot, or a big rebound, or a set-up man, Kolek has delivered. He has dished out more than five assists in nine games this season, including going for eight or more in three of his last four. He has also finished four games this season with 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists or more. Kolek leads the 11-3 Marquette team in points (15.3), assists (6.3), and steals (1.7) while sitting second in rebounds (5.2) for the No. 7 team in the A.P. Poll.

5. F Jaedon LeeDee (San Diego State)

The Buzz: Jaedon LeDee started the season on fire and has not slowed down yet. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound senior was a four-star forward entering college and has had a solid career leading up to this point. This season, LeDee has become the focal point of a team that made a run to the college basketball national title game last season. In San Diego State’s five P6 games this season (this includes Gonzaga), LeDee is averaging 22.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and is shooting 50.7 percent from the field.

6. C Hunter Dickinson (Kansas) 

The Buzz: The biggest name in last season’s college basketball transfer portal has had a firm fingerprint on the 2023-24 college basketball season. Hunter Dickinson is the second-leading rebounder in Division 1 this year. He is averaging 18.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 60.5 percent from the field his A.P. Poll No. 2 ranked Kansas team.

7. G RJ Davis (UNC)

The Buzz: RJ Davis has found his groove and is on a streak as hot as any player in the country. Davis has scored 20 or more points in each of his last eight games. In those eight games, Davis is averaging 25.4 points and shooting 41.5 percent from three. He is also adding 4.0 assists to 1.4 turnovers during that time frame. UNC is 9-3 and currently No. 8 in the A.P. Poll.  

8. G Tristen Newton (UConn)

The Buzz: Tristen Newton has been the consistent force for UConn this season as they aim to defend last season’s national title. The 6-foot-5 senior is leading the A.P. Poll No. 4 ranked Huskies in points (16.2), rebounds (6.9), assists (5.6), and steals (1.3) this season. He is the player who wants the ball in his hand when it is time to make a play, and to this point, he has been able to deliver. 

9. F David Jones (Memphis)

The Buzz: David Jones has vaulted his way into the top ten in NCAA D1 scoring for the season. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound junior is averaging 21.2 points on 39.7 percent shooting from three. Jones transferred to Memphis from St. John’s during the off-season. He is leading the way for the No. 15 ranked Tigers, also leading the team in rebounds (6.4) and steals (2.2). Jones has scored 19, or more points in nine of Memphis’ games, and he has two double-doubles this season.

10. G KJ Simpson (Colorado)

The Buzz: Colorado has been without staring wing Cody Williams over its last five games. In each of those games, KJ Simpson has gone for 20, or more points and the Buffaloes are 5-0. That includes wins over Washington, Miami, and Washington State. Simpson is averaging 23.8 points and 6.8 assists on 57.8 percent from the field over Colorado’s last five. While not in this week’s A.P. Poll, they currently sit at 11-2.